Current Season
PIAA State Championships
Saturday, November 3, 2001
Hersheypark
| The Pennsylvania
Cable Network videotaped the 2001 PIAA
Cross Country Championships and aired their reports on November
9 and 16. If you missed it, videotape copies are available.
Videotape ordering information for
2001 XC:
Pennsylvania Cable Network
Attn: Debra
401 Fallowfield Road
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Phone 717-730-6000
Tapes are $29.95, and includes shipping and sales tax. Tax
exempt or out-of-state costs $28.25. Check or money order
only. (Checks must be made payable to Pennsylvania Cable
Network)
Remember, tapes can also be ordered
of the 2001 PIAA Track & Field Championships at Shippensburg
|
PA CROSS COUNTRY
COURSE TOURS
|
Thanks
to Scranton Prep for providing a photo of their repeat champions
in Boys AA. We somehow missed them at the awards, and didn't want
to leave them out. Congrats on two in a row - PennTrackXC
Craig Lowthert and Megan Feehan
captured the Madia-Cickay finish from two angles. Click
here.
Read how the races were reported around PA. Philadelphia
Inquirer. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: AAA
/ AA
Race Photos & Interviews
(Worth the download time) Girls
AAA / Boys AAA / Girls
AA / Boys AA
Additional race photos posted
11/16/01
Complete results courtesy of
the PIAA. GIRLS
AA / GIRLS AAA / BOYS
AA / BOYS
AAA
Highlights below:
AAA Girls AAA
Boys AA Girls AA Boys
Results from
the 2000 PIAA Championships
@ Bucknell University
DISTRICTS'
RESULTS:
LANE
ASSIGNMENTS / QUALIFIERS:
INTERVIEWS:
PCN to broadcast state XC Championships.
Details.
And
that's why they run the races. While much of the day followed
form, there were some thrills and near spills at the 2001 State
Cross Country Championships. Exactly what you'd expect racing
next door to an amusement park. The most exciting finish of the
day was in Girls AAA, as four-time XC Medalist North Allegheny
senior Stephanie Madia used all of her experience to chase down
this year's newest star, Jessica Cickay of Council Rock, in the
final ten meters. Cickay led from the gun, but could never get
a lead of more than 40 meters.She was struggling from about mid-wayy
through the race, and as she approached the line. She was taken
to Hershey Medical Center to be treated for heat exhaustion. Madia
ran the fastest time of the day, a 19:04. The team champion again
came from District 11. Last year, Parkland. This year, Allentown
Central Catholic. They were almost caught by one of those pack-attackers,
North Penn. But the 18 points NP spotted ACC with each of their
first two runners proved too big a deficit. Pre-race favorite
and nationally-ranked Council Rock was not able to move enough
runners into a range to catch Allentown Central Catholic.
In
Boys AAA, PA's other nationally ranked squad delivered
on their potential as well as their dream, winning in convincing
fashion by 42 points by placing three in the top 12, and the fourth
in 27th. Late season charger West Chester Henderson was a comfortable
runner-up, being joined by the other four District One teams in
3-6, Council Rock, Great Valley, and Hatboro-Horsham, and 2000
champ, Coatesville. Rock lost the points from Mike DiDio, who
went down on the final stretch with heat exhaustion. It did not
affect the titlle outcome. And how's an improvement of 226 places
in the AAA race? Baldwin's Dan Mazzocco learned a lot about course
management this year, and in doing so, learned how to win consistently.
His 16:03 was the fastest time of the day.
In Girls AA, Jesi Christensen, Greenville, repeated as
champion, taking the lead before the mile and holding on for two-four
second margins over hard-charging Leanna Nastase of Forest Hills,
Charity Learn of Mansfield, and Stacey Muchal of Valley View.
In the team competition, Wyomissing three-peated with just 72
points, the lowest total of the day.
And
in Boys AA, Eisenhower's Andy Weilacher repeated as state
champ, running alone from the gun to finish in 16:05.5, the second
fastest time of the day. Accompanied this year by his full team,
the squad from Northwest PA nearly took the state team title,
but came up a point short to power Scranton Prep.
| 10:00: Girls AA Team:
Wyomissing 72, Quaker Valley 118, Gwynedd Mercy 171, Troy
192, York Suburban 192 |
Girls AA Individual: Jesi
Christiansen, Greenville 19:17.1 |
| 10:45; Girls AAA Team:
Allentown Central Catholic 143, North Penn 169, North Allegheny
192, Cumberland Valley 194, Greenburg-Salem 198 |
Girls AAA Individual: Stephanie
Madia, North Allegheny 19:04.0, Jessica Cickay 19:04.5 |
| 11:15: Boys AA Team:
Scranton Prep 87, Eisenhower 88, West Middlesex 137, Quaker
Valley 213, York Suburban 231 |
Boys AA Individual: Andy
Weilacher,Eisenhower, 16:05.5
|
| 12:30: Boys AAA Team:
Cedar Cliff 87, West Chester Henderson 129, Council Rock 181,
Great Valley 208, Hatboro-Horsham 219 |
Boys AAA Individual:
Dan Mazzocco, Baldwin, 16:03.00 |
See
or Download a printable PDF map of the
Hersheypark State XC course
here - Download
PDF
PREVIEWS
What's the take on States from the Philadelphia
Inquirer and cross country reporter and running enthusiast Ira
Josephs? Read his girls'
and boys'
previews.
Girls
AA Team Preview
Boys
AA Team Preview
Girls
AAA Team Preview
Boys
AAA Team Preview
Girls
AA Individuals Preview
Boys
AA Individuals Previews
Girls
AAA Individuals Previews
Boys
AAA Individuals Previews
GIRLS
AA TEAMS
Wyomissing vs. themselves
The question in the AA girls team race is by how much. We can
start with an exceptionally nice 1:34 spread at Districts. Or
the confidence of being a defending state champ. Or the fact that
it's on their home District course. But that's why they run the
races. And rounding into race shape just in time for the biggest
one of the year are Gwynedd Mercy from District 1 which beat a
strong field with just 43 points. And the two powers from District
11, Notre Dame and Nativity BVM. Or maybe even defending runner-up
Scranton Prep from District 2. A :49 spread, even though it is
back a bit from the front, is a nice way to run. They're all good.
But it looks like they're all running for second.
BOYS
AA TEAMS
Eisenhower vs. Scranton Prep
There's talk out of Northwest PA that Eisenhower could challenge
the best of the AAA teams in the state. Nice thought. But with
a nearly 2:00 spread at District 10 champs, they're good. But
not that good. They should, however, be able to hold off the challenge
of last year's champ, Scranton Prep from District 2. No, wait!
Prep's 5th man looks stronger. It may not be so automatic for
Eisenhower. But they will start the race with only one point,
and there's no better place to start the counting than that. District
11's Saucon Valley is waiting in the wings to mess with the plans
of both of the favorites.
GIRLS
AAA TEAMS
Council
Rock is nationally ranked. They should rebound after their only
loss of the year.
North Allegheny vs. North Penn vs. Council Rock vs. CV vs.
Chambersburg vs. Allentown Central Catholic vs. the Pack Attacks
from Haverford and Mount Lebanon
Parkland ambushed North
Allegheny last year. This year, the competition for the AAA team
title is even more competitive. Council Rock, those of a national
ranking, had close ones all year with North Penn before finally
getting caught at Districts. The Rock runs best on the Big Day,
though, and should be back. Plus it's always nice to start with
just a point or two. North Penn may have left their best races
back in the Philly area chasing the locals all season. Cumberland
Valley looked very strong in taking District 3. Allentown Central
Catholic looked just as good winning District 11. But perennial
power Chambersburg was nipping at their heels. North Allegheny
did finish way ahead of CV and Chambersburg early in the year.
But that was September. This is now. And that brings us to one
dark horse we saw coming, and another that just plain surprised
us this year -- Haverford and Mount Lebanon. First the surprise.
Lebo is a traditionally strong program. Their #1 is a minute off
the leaders, but their #5 is only a minute back from that. They
get any closer with their #1 in the medals, and these big races
change drastically. And then there's Haverford. 
Those who know me know
I have a soft spot for the team. My kids ran there.But
that doesn't change the facts. They have leg speed. Second in
PA in the 4x800 last spring, which means they can get out. Important
at States. Critical on this course. They start a bit off the leaders.
But they can see each other the whole way. Just :42 at District
1. If any of the top squads are off a bit at their end, look for
Lebo or the Fords to surprise.
Haverford
runs as a pack. Shown here with five girls at two miles in their
league race.
BOYS
AAA TEAMS (Interview with Cedar Cliff
head coach, Ken Rosenberry)
Cedar Cliff vs.
Council Rock vs. Mt. Lebanon and the defending individual state
champ
This is the Colts to lose. But they're not looking at it that
way. They ran through last year's campaign looking like a state
champ, only to be out-gunned on the big day by the best-dressed,
most focused Big Day team in the state, Coatesville, who is back.
Cedar Cliff, which is PA's other nationally ranked squad, was
profoundly disappointed after last year's second place finish.
They changed their attitude this year. Winning Districts was not
the prize. Winning states would be. So they went to the Great
American in September as the 25th seeded team. They got 10th.
They rolled over everyone is Central PA. They stayed healthy.
They won District 3 easily. And they are focused on Saturday.
So who can challenge? Well, Coatesville is back, and knows how
to run through the nerves. Council Rock, a team that has won 700
of the last 710 state championships (actually 87-89, 91-95, and
1999), is in better form than any of the last five squads. And
their :45 spread, with two front-packers, is almost as good as
Cedar Cliff's three front-packers. Slugging it out on the hills
of western PA were Mount Lebanon and Shaler. One led by the defending
state champ. The other led by a state champion miler. And both
with just :90 spreads. And how could we forget Coatesville's nemesis
this year, West Chester Henderson - a team that won the championships
in 1996 and is always strong at this time of year. But this is
Cedar Cliff's district course. They are on a mission. We'll go
with the Colts for this year. Or I'm not getting in their way
if they lose.
GIRLS
AA INDIVIDUALS
Christensen vs. The Twins
Jesi Christensen is the girls' version of Andy Weilacher. A talent
from her first step onto a cross country course. As a sophomore
last year, she powered her way to the title on a tough Bucknell
layout over Wyomissing's Debbie Huss. The year before, as a frosh,
she was 2nd to a talented Lauren Shaffer of West Allegheny. The
challengers this year? Amy and Debbie Huss of Wyomissing. It's
nice when your teammate is also family. Two district champs will
also challenge, including District 2's Stacey Muchal of Valley
View, and Mansfield's Charity Learn. But mental toughness and
talent are hard to beat. Christensen has both.
BOYS
AA INDIVIDUALS
Weilacher vs. Blood
Eisenhower's Andy Weilacher of District 10 finished 10th as a
freshman, 2nd as a sophomore, and 1st as a junior. He can't improve
on that. Or can he? Well, from his races this year, it looks like
he will repeat as champion. In fact, there are many inside and
outside of PA who believe he may be the best male runner in the
state this year. And a definite candidate to challenge for a spot
on the Northeast Footlocker squad. So is there a challenger? Well,
that would be Ryan Blood. As a sophomore last year, Blood won
District 3 and finished 6th in the state. He ran a controlled
race at the District 3 race on Oct. 27, and had the 3rd fastest
time of the day. With no one to race. Under tougher conditions
this year, he even lopped off 15 seconds. He also ran the fastest
time, setting a course record, at the recent Mid-Penn championships
at Gettysburg HS. He's confident. Has excellent coaching. And
more. This could be the challenge Weilacher has been waiting for.
GIRLS
AAA INDIVIDUALS
Cickay vs. Saterstad vs. Madia vs. Bricker
(Interview with Stephanie Madia and Angie Saterstad)
Jessica Cickay did not come out of nowhere. She medalled last
year at States as a freshman. She showed sparks of talent, but
quite frankly, absolutely no one saw this kind of year coming.
She won every invitational she entered. She has the 8th and 14th
fastest 5K's in the country this fall. And she won her first district
title as a sophomore on a deceptively slow Lehigh course, in 30
mph winds, in 17:50. So naturally, we look around at the competition
this year. And what do you know? PA is loaded. For starters, there's
Stephanie Madia of North Allegheny. Madia was 12th as a freshman,
3rd as a sophomore, and 2nd last year. Anyone seeing a trend here?
Plus, she demonstrated real wheels at the 1600 in the spring,
breaking 5:00 and taking home her first state championship. She
slipped a bit last week in losing to Lauren Bricker of Hempfield.
And that just proves our point. This state is loaded. Bricker
looked like the best bet to win States last year as a sophomore,
but faltered in the final 800 only to finish 14th. She looks to
be in top form again. And then there's the best sophomore from
2000 in PA in the Northeast. Angie Saterstad, who finished 10th
at Northeast Footlockers in NYC to miss a trip to Disney World
by just two places. She ran in District 3 this year. Took the
championship on the state course to be. And she looks even stronger
than in 2000. There are more, many more. But it looks like you
can pick your champ from this group. I ain't pickin'. I'm just
enjoyin'.
BOYS
AAA INDIVIDUALS
Mazzocco vs. Cavanaugh vs. Bair. vs. Robertson
Here is the classic case of boy meets fears. Last year, Baldwiin's
Dan Mazzocco spent much of the year learning to race with, and
even beating, once or twice, eventual state champion Shawn Cavanaugh
of Mount Lebanon. But in the state meet, Mazzocco faltered, running
with the lead group at the start, but finishing 226th. He rebounded
for Indoor and Outdoor, and focused on redeeming himself this
fall. And that is exactly what he has done. Taking everything
out west. Even the WPIAL champs by pulling away from Cavanaugh,
and new upstart, and the state's fastest miler, Sam Bair of Shaler.
Out of the east, there's Rob Robertson of defending state champ
Coatesville, who went 15:37 in 30 mph winds last week at Lehigh.
He was 7th last year. And either Andy Brehm or Pat Philbin of
Cedar Cliff could bust one. Or how about the Mike DiDio and Rob
Hampson pair from Council Rock? They're good. But they'll be busy
trying for the state TEAM titles. Mazzocco has something to prove.
He's at peace with his world. And he won't let this opportunity
slip by.
PRE-RACE INTERVIEWS
Ken Roseberry, Head
Coach, Cedar Cliff, 2nd in 2000 AAA
On this year's strategy to avoid a second straight runner-up
finish: "Our whole focus last year was to win Districts
because we'd never won Districts. We looked great at Districts.
We were gung-ho, and then we looked flat at States. I think you
have that one time that you can show up and you can just run a
great race. It's hard to come back a week later after what you
feel in your best performance and then do it again."
On their 2001 District race, which they won comfortably: "We
looked sluggish, like we weren't running with the same passion
the rest of the District was running with. Next week, we'll have
that look. There was really nothing good that could happen to
us today. If we ran the race like we did last year I think we
would have been in the same boat. This year we've been focusing
on States. They've come out to win all season, but in the back
of their heads has been 'this isn't States'. Our enemy is Council
Rock, and they weren't here today. So we had nobody to chase.
We would have liked to have an individual winner. Everybody here
(D3) ran their race today. We're trying to run our race next week."
On Cedar Cliff's training: "We only had one person
run well today, but everybody else ran average to below-average
races. It's probably because we had 70 miles per week until Conferences
(last week). This is the first week we've cut back. And it usually
takes a week until you feel the effects of that."
On their first national ranking: "It's nice to be
nationally ranked. Every place we go, everybody's looking at us.
They have something to shoot for."
On why they have trained so hard since November 2000.
"If they lose the State meet, that's going to hurt. If they
win the State meet, they'll never forget it."
Stephanie Madia, North
Allegheny, 2nd in 2000. State AAA 1600 Meter Champ.
Interiewed July, 2000
On the Hersheypark course: "I feel that the course
was very different from most states courses. It had a lot more
hills than last year at Bucknell. It is not as bad as where the
WPIAL meet is held, but it has its share of challenges. It is
not that great of a spectator course which is unusual for a state
meet. However, I think that all runners who qualify for the PIAA
state meet are prepared to do their best there! I think that it
is a fair start (the slope is a little questionable. The start
is important but it still is a 3-mile course there are lots of
chances to make up if you start in a bad place. The WPIAL course
is harder."
Angie Saterstad, Hershey,
10th in 2000 at Northeast Footlocker.
On her District race, 10/27/01:
"I started feeling really bad in the middle of the race,
like I was going to collapse. I tried not to think about it. So
I picked it up and said I'm going for States."
On the move that brought her to Hershey: "When we
moved here I was hoping there would be better competition, and
there is. And there's a lot of support from my team and my coaches.
They've been working me really hard. He'll (my coach) run the
extra miles with me, 'cause I can run with him."
On the challenge November 3rd: "I'm looking forward
to racing against Madia, Cickay, and other girls I've heard about,
Yester, Franklin. So I'm looking forward to having a good race.
I'm good on hills. I'm used to running on hills, so I think that
will give me an advantage."
On Footlockers: "I think my chances for Footlockers
are really good because last year I got 10th and I think I'm in
a lot better condition now. I was surprised getting 10th last
year because I didn't start off the race as fast as I would have
liked, and I just kept picking it up. Running it as a sophomore
definitely prepared me for this year."
